Allakhazam.com News (full)

Allakhazam Updates [General News]

We've had a bunch of cool new content go up on our sites lately, if you haven't had a chance to look here's just a taste:

Our Warhammer site has undergone a major redesign - we've added Public Quest databases, starter guides, and tons more. We're updating our Warhammer site daily and it's quickly becoming the most advanced Warhammer database around.

Our hub site has news, reviews, and articles covering the latest MMOs daily. Some of the recent updates include new Legends of Norrath loot cards, previews of Jumpgate Evolution and Freaky Creatures and EverQuest Expansion screenshots.

Hate bots? Blizzard recently won a case against the Glider bot. Our WoW site also has been constantly updating the Wiki lately.

Played FFXI lately? If you want to give it a whirl for the first time, or are thinking of coming back, Fileplanet has a free trial offer.

Finally if you're an EverQuest 2 player you'll want raid tactics and with the help of Ghosts of Jaggedpine we have new strats for The Maestro and Tairiza the Widow Mistress. We also have an excellent new quest walkthrough for the Gods of Norrath.

Enter Allakhazam's Pumpkin Carving Contest! [Final Fantasy XI]

Halloween is just around the corner and the MHMU has likely already begun their preparations for the spookiest and creepiest time of year. In order to do our part to get everyone into the spirit of things, we've decided to bring back the Allakhazam Pumpkin Carving Contest! Get your knives and scrapers ready in what should be a fun and exciting chance to display both your creativity and love for Vana'diel!

How to Enter:

Carve your pumpkin and e-mail a photograph of it to ffxiteam@allakhazam.com. For tips on photographing your pumpkin, visit Pumpkin Carving 101. There is no limit on the amount of entries submitted per person.

Voting for the pumpkin entries will be conducted via a poll and names will be excluded from the entries in order to help ensure fair voting.

The Prizes:

First place winner will be given the recently released Tidal Talisman, the first item in the Final Fantasy XI Player's Collection. This item includes the code for the in-game item.The winner will also be awarded a month of free premium.

Second and third place winners will be given a free month of premium.

The Rules:

1. Your pumpkin entry should be one that was carved this month and carved by you .
2. No offensive or pornographic entries will be accepted. Your pumpkin must be "Safe for Work".
3. Entries must be Final Fantasy XI or Allakhazam community related.
4. All entries must remain anonymous until voting is closed. Entries posted by creators to the forums will be disqualified.
5. Entries must be submitted by 12:00 noon EST on October 29, 2008.
6. Have fun!

Entries will be posted to showcase the talent of our community and the poll will be put up after contest closing on October 29th and will remain open for voting until November 5th.

Allakhazam.com reserves the right to disqualify any entry based on photographic quality, pumpkin theme, or any other reason that may deem the entry as offensive or unacceptable. Winner(s) may be asked to provide additional photographs of the winning pumpkin(s) for verification purposes.

Upcoming patch highlights [Warhammer Online]

Mark Jacobs commented about the current patches being implemented and what the outlook is going to be like for the patches this coming week.

Some of the highlights include: Another round of performance tweaks, scenario code adjustments, anti-spammer technologies additions, and a resolution into the bug that causes an incorrect number of guilds to join an alliance.

Click on "More..." below to review the patch summary. Keep in mind this is going to be just a few of the key patch notes for next week!

Considering how well we did with the last patch I would expect a certain amount of skepticism from you but here's a few highlights from next week's patch (not counting hot fixes or hot pockets):

1) Another round of CTD, general memory usage improvements and lag improvements.

2) A foray into the whole "AFKers in scenarios suck!" issue with some changes to the scenario code.

3) Introduction of exp. bonuses to people who create toons on population-challenged servers. This is the first of many steps to help keep the populations more balanced. As always, baby steps.

4) Another round of anti-spammer code going in. This should greatly limit their ability to bother you, that's my job.

5) We're looking at changing how the need/greed looting options work in scenarios only. We are thinking about disallowing the need option for people who can't use the item. Again, this is for scenarios only and I already know the argument "I need it for my alt" etc. and we are still thinking about it.

6) Correct the bug that prevent the correct number of guilds from joining an alliance.

Those are *some* of the highlights from next week's patch. If it goes as badly as the last one, feel free to say hi to me as I run screaming into the woods.

Mark

Hot Fixes for October 5th, 2008 [Warhammer Online]

Three hotfixes reported from the WAR Herald for today related to RvR, items and general content:

Content: Made additional fixes to resolve issues with the final boss of the "Neborhest's Vanguard" public quest.

Items: Sovereign Set items on the Renown Merchant now have the proper requirements for purchase.

RvR: In an effort to highlight more of the available scenarios, we have made a slight adjustment to the positioning of scenarios in the queue window. The Elf Tier 3 Scenario "Temple of Isha" is now the first scenario players will see, followed by "Tor Anroc."

We've included them in our forums here .

Norsca Starter Guide [Warhammer Online]

Our fifth starter guide is for the Norsca starting area . We've updated all starter guides to feature additional details about their respective zones, as well as how to proceed to the next zone.

If you have any input into the guides we would love to hear your suggestions on how we can fill out the series more. Mount Bloodhorn is the last starter guide before we move on to where the zones really get interesting!

System Performance Guide Update [General News]

Another update this week to our System Performance Guide , a tool that allows you to make the most in purchasing new computer equipment, tweaking existing hardware, and adjusting system settings for optimal gameplay.

NEWEGG Canada has gone live! To review any products referenced at the other location you need only to copy and paste to the other site the product number found at the end of the link when reviewing an item.

This week is Green Power week! You will find all the weekly deals are focused on energy efficiency.

New Stuff/Changes

* Replaced weekly deals with Green Power deals (temporary)
* Updated comments about system performance
* Updated 'Tip of the week' archiving and main news post
* Adjusted several prices of products

Tip of the week

"Computers use some electricity even when in complete stand-by mode. To save electricity and thus save you money, simply turn off any computers not in use for the evening or while you are gone for extended periods of time. Purchase an energy efficient power supply and other components if you are upgrading or building a new computer, which will save you money when the machine is on. "

New/Updated hardware deals

* SILVERSTONE 600W PSU - $90 AR w/FS (Green Power deal)
* Intel Wolfdale E7200 2.53GHz - $120 w/FS (Green Power deal)
* WD Caviar Green 1TB HD - $130 w/FS (Green Power deal)
* NVIDIA EVGA 9600GT GPU - $80 AR w/FS (Green Power deal)

* WD Scorpio Black 320GB Laptop HD - $110 w/FS
* WD Caviar SE16 640GB HD - $80 w/FS
* SAMSUNG 22x DVD+R Burner - $23 w/FS
* ATI SAPPHIRE Radeon 4850 GPU - $140 AR w/FS

We are eager to hear from the community suggestions on further enhancing the guide. Ways you can help out are through finding weekly deals, adding WIKI content in our new hardware articles, and general suggestions for the overall layout of the guide. Submit suggestions in the forums , e-mail us , or dig right into the accessible WIKI pages in the guide !

Exclusive Desktop Wallpaper #2 [Angels Online]

We've just received the second Angels Online exclusive desktop wallpaper. Enjoy!

Available in multiple resolutions (800x600 - 1024x768 - 1600x1200 - 1680x1050 )

To download every size, please click on the preview image below!

Exclusive Desktop Wallpaper #2 [Myth War II]

We've just received the second Angels Online exclusive desktop wallpaper. Enjoy!

Available in multiple resolutions (800x600 - 1024x768 - 1600x1200 - 1680x1050 )

To download every size, please click on the preview image below!

Mana Cost of Mage Spells to be Reduced [World of Warcraft]

According to Blizzard poster Ghostcrawler, the mana cost of Fireball, Frostbolt, Frostfire Bolt, Arcane Blast, Arcane Missiles, and Arcane Explosion will be reduced as a result of the fact that mages are still having mana problems. Here's Ghostcrawler's post :

We think mages are still having mana problems and don't want to reduce Evocation's cooldown anymore. Nor do we want to buff mage armor too much more or using e.g. molten armor seems pointless.

Instead, we reduced the mana cost on Fireball, Frostbolt, Frostfire Bolt, Arcane Blast, Arcane Missiles, and Arcane Explosion.

What do you think about the mana problems plaguing mages? Discuss it in our mage forum .

SOE President Targets Console MMOs, Female Gamers [General News]

The MTV Multiplayer blog recently posted an interview with Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley, and he discussed everything from the importance of console MMOs to targeting female gamers with DC Universe Online and Free Realms. He also said that it's "pretty safe to say that EverQuest has not seen its last game."

Smedley focused on bringing online gaming to consoles in the interview, stating that, "I think they're going to introduce a lot of new people [to MMOs]. Studies show that a lot of people who have consoles also have PCs. However, they also show that most of the people that have a console play their console as their primary gaming device." He also confirmed that all SOE MMOs will appear on consoles from now on.

The SOE president emphasized the importance of targeting untapped groups of gamers, especially females. "You know they've sold 2.6 million copies of Cooking Mama on the DS? I mean, it just blows my mind that there's such an audience size-wise that people just haven't hit."

The full interview is at the MTV Multiplayer blog or can be found in its entirety below.

MTV Multiplayer: What is success now, in the age of “World of Warcraft” with its 11 million subscribers?

John Smedley, SOE president: For us, success is about making games that people want to play. If you’re defining it by a metric, I think we’re about to find out [by] going into the free-to-play model [with "Free Realms "]. That is going to change that and blow up that dynamic in a way that is going to be radically different. An example of that is — [Nexon America 's director of game operations] Min Kim talked about the 20-million-user game [during the game conference]. I think that’s very possible in this space, simply because the barrier to entry is removed. And then how much will those people pay, and what will the revenue translate into? Well, our early studies are showing that it’s a very profitable model as well, so we think we can get both a new audience and monetize the game in a way that is really meaningful.

MTV Multiplayer: How are your console MMOs coming along?

Smedley: Great. It’s been a new experience for us because — well, we’ve done one console MMO. We’re actually one of two companies in the world that’s ever done a console MMO. We had “EverQuest Online Adventures ” for the PS2 — still operating. It and “Final Fantasy XI ” are the only actual MMOs. There’s other games like “Phantasy Star Online ” that aren’t true MMOs — they’re more smaller games where you have hosting and get into dungeons with people — but not quite the same as an MMO. So they’re coming along well. We’ve invested heavily on the tech side. Now that we’re part of Sony Computer Entertainment, it’s a lot nicer. Because we have access to a lot more resources technically. So they’re coming along well and they’re going to launch alongside the other versions of our games. Well, depending on the games. [The console version of] “Free Realms ” will come out about six months later. “The Agency ” and “DC Universe Online ” are coming out day and date with our PC version.

MTV Multiplayer: What about the business model? Will console players like subscriptions? Or will PC players get used to microtransactions?

Smedley: That’s the interesting thing. We’re starting to actually do [microtransactions]. We introduced a trading card game to our “EverQuest” and “EQ2″ players and they got the idea of microtransactions very quickly. We put it in there in a way that wasn’t harmful to gameplay and it actually gave them a benefit, so that’s how we’re going to convert existing players. Getting a console player to pay for a subscription, I think that’s an interesting question. I think it’s about making a great game, but we also believe that there’s a chance, maybe [the games] won’t be subscription-based. Maybe the free-to-play model is the right one to use there, too. We don’t know yet. We’re going to find out with “Free Realms,” and adapt as we see things go.

MTV Multiplayer: What role do you think console MMOs will play in the field?

Smedley: I think they’re going to introduce a lot of new people [to MMOs]. Studies show that a lot of people who have consoles also have PCs. However, they also show that most of the people that have a console play their console as their primary gaming device. Though I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to see a whole new generation of players that have been playing “Resistance ” now start getting introduced to MMOs. I think it’s going to be a cool way for them to experience games that have been on the PC for a while, but have a totally different kind of gameplay on the console.

MTV Multiplayer: In your keynote, you had mentioned, by having MMOs on consoles, there will be additional returns. But has there been a significant cost?

Smedley: No, not really. Because we developed our codebase such that the engine will run on across both [platforms]. So there was some up front investment, certainly, but we’ve invested in making sure that the technology runs on both. We’re adapting controls and some of the communication features but we’re trying to keep the same primary game.

MTV Multiplayer: So you would say all of SOE’s MMOs will appear on consoles from now on?

Smedley: Yes.

MTV Multiplayer: Is Blizzard crazy for not doing console MMOs?

Smedley: Far be it for me to say ever that Blizzard is crazy, because they are the leaders in this space, and I have a lot of respect for them. Everybody makes different choices. We have advantages that others simply don’t being in the Sony family. For us, the opportunity that we see on the PS3, and potentially the PSP, is something that we can’t pass up on. … I would say that we would be one of the early adopters on [bringing MMOs to consoles], and we plan on becoming one of the dominant players in the MMO space on consoles. We see that marketing coming; we think it’s there now, so we want to get a good market share there.

MTV Multiplayer: Did you hear about the news that Microsoft had been working on a “Halo” MMO? What do you think of that?

Smedley: It’s interesting but until I see it, I can’t really comment on it. I think Sony’s got more invested in the MMO space as a whole; it just doesn’t seem to be a space that Microsoft’s aiming at. As a game player, [the closing of Ensemble Studios ] was a tragedy; I was a huge “Age of Empires ” fan. They say it’s going to continue, but it’s just weird without Ensemble.

MTV Multiplayer: Can you see Sony doing an MMO with one of its premiere franchises?

Smedley: They’ve actually already announced “Massive Action Game “… It’s an amazing game. I mean, they’ve had games there with hundreds of players in a fire fight, it’s unbelievable. I feel like I’m pushing it a lot, but you have to see it. I’m a huge FPS fan so this is right up my alley.

MTV Multiplayer: But has there been discussion about making an MMO from an existing franchise? Something like a “God of War” MMO?

Smedley: The freedom is there to do different licenses. We haven’t talked about any of that specifically but the idea of doing something in one of the other licenses has come up. It’s just right now we’ve got our plate pretty full and Worldwide Studios has their plate full and with Home coming out — there’s just a lot on the plate right now. So the new stuff is going to take a little bit to get into development.

MTV Multiplayer: Speaking of “Massive Action Game,” has SOE been consulted by the folks working on it?

Smedley: We came into the fold after it was already pretty far into development. We’ve seen it. Other than to say we’re seriously impressed as fans, but beyond that there’s — no, that team knows what they’re doing. No need for it.

MTV Multiplayer: Do you think that creating MMOs that aren’t fantasy-based — like the “The Agency” and “DC Universe” — will help MMOs appeal to a broader audience?

Smedley: To us, we want to make different games that appeal to different kind of gamers… With “Free Realms,” it’s more for a younger audience, and for women. You know they’ve sold 2.6 million copies of “Cooking Mama ” on the DS? I mean, it just blows my mind that there’s such an audience size-wise that people just haven’t hit. We’re trying to put a lot of different bets on the table — but with the idea in mind that we’ll always have our core [audience] and that we’re going to expand out from there and reach different genres of gamers.

MTV Multiplayer: Have you done anything with “The Agency” and “DC Universe Online” to try to bring more women into those games as well?

Smedley: Yes, I think with “DC” it’s fair to say that. But with “The Agency,” I think we’d be kidding ourselves if we thought that was going to appeal to a lot of women. The shooter genre traditionally has not, so I wouldn’t say were going out of our way on that front. But we are going out of our way in “DC” because we saw that women were really the largest part of the audience for “The Dark Knight ” [movie]. In fact, I heard a stat that said it might’ve been more women than men — but I can’t back that up, it was just something I randomly heard… But we want to make games that appeal to all kinds of gamers.

MTV Multiplayer: With the success of “WoW” and now “Warhammer Online,” it seems that fantasy MMOs are still doing well. Do you feel that straying off with “The Agency” and “DCUO” has a high risk factor?

Smedley: That’s not all we have in development. It’s pretty safe to say that “EverQuest” has not seen its last game. So we’ve got our own cards to play there, and I think we will play them at the right time. But the quality level will be something that people will be very happy with.